fluval 05 question

This is a discussion on fluval 05 question within the Beginner Freshwater Aquarium forums, part of the Freshwater Fish and Aquariums category; -->
well everybody i have been looking into upgrading my filter, and i am pretty sure i have settled on the fluval 05. but i ...

well everybody i have been looking into upgrading my filter, and i am pretty sure i have settled on the fluval 05. but i am unsure of what one to get. it is for a 75 gal.. but the manufacture recomends the 260 gph model for that size of tank.. i thought it may need to be a littler bigger.. but i dont want so much water flow that the current stresses the fish or plants..

one more thing.. i have read that in a planted tank not to use chemical filtration(at least not carbon) and that there is no benifit in biological filtration(as the plants do that for you. so that pretty much just leaves mechanical.. so if that is the case what is the point in a expensive canister filter... i guess what i am trying to say is , is it actually bad to use chem and bio filtration, or is it just a matter of not alot of benifit. and what do you all use to fill your media baskets of your canister filters..

Carbon will remove many essential minerals/ metals such as iron that your plants need to properly grow and be healthy. Adding carbon to the filter will negate all your fertilizers you add to the tank for your plants. If you do get the filter you are talking about you can simply remove the carbon from the one stage and add filter floss. That way you are getting some more particles out of the water that are drawn in from the tank.

I am actually considering getting the Fluval U3/ U4 for my 29 but am concerned about flow rates as well. I can't grow floating plants with my current Aqueon 30 Power Filter due to the currents near the surface.

As posted elsewhere, I would go with a sponge filter. Hydro specifically. No mineral and fertilizer-removing carbon - no filter water flow issues as long as you buy the right sized air pump - good for planted tanks, good for forest fish, no need to buy more media and constantly replace it. Just squeeze out the sponge filter in removed tank water about once a month and you're good.

Relatively inexpensive filter as well. Most chain stores won't even know what a sponge filter is and I had to convince my LFS that the filter wasn't only used to breed fry. Might be best to order it online with an air pump.

Sponge filters with the right air pump can work well up to at least 125 gallon tanks.

You didnt told us that you have only plants! I dont know what you need for plants only! For the media you dont have to replace it, you have to wash it once in a while. Thats it! But if you have fish you will need it, and the best option for you is canister filter. 100-150$ is not much for a good filter, dont get me wrong. Good luck

you can always face the spray bars of a canister towards the wall. The current is dissipated then. I bought a penn plax cascade 1000. It is amazing so far. At 100 dollars including shipping for my 60 gallon tank. Couldnt have asked for a better filter.